Actress Aarvika Gupta is currently seen in the challenging role of Champa in the newly released web series Chidiya Udd, where she plays a drug addict who is HIV-positive and a prostitute. Speaking about her role, Aarvika says, “I had auditioned for this series a long time ago through a casting agency. After the audition, I forgot about it since I didn’t hear back. Then one day, I got a call from Omkar Ji of Baweja Studios, asking if I was ready to play the character I had auditioned for. I was so excited because the role was very challenging—an HIV-positive, drug-addicted prostitute on the verge of death, experiencing multiple emotions. As an actor, you always seek such challenges to prove yourself and deliver something impactful to the audience. So, I immediately said yes.”
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Join Telegram ChannelHow did she prepare for the role? Aarvika explains, “Honestly, I didn’t know how to prepare for such a role. But once I transformed my look through makeup, felt the character through costumes, and started shooting in the real locations of Kamathipura, I naturally began to feel Champa’s emotions. Shooting in Kamathipura was an experience I will never forget. Most of the scenes were shot on location, giving us a close look at the lives of prostitutes. We even saw people living that life while filming there. I stayed in the moment and played the role authentically. If I had prepared in advance, it wouldn’t have felt as real. What I felt on set, in that look, was genuine. Director Ravi Jadhav was my guiding light throughout the shooting.”
She adds, “To look weak and portray an HIV-positive person, I avoided eating and drinking water on set until my pack-up. My throat would stay dry, and I’d genuinely feel weak and restless—something that reflected on my face. I also avoided laughing much, as I wanted to stay in character. Despite all this, I truly enjoyed the shoot and learned that when you are hungry for good work, you can put everything aside and focus solely on perfecting your role.”
In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in OTT platforms in India. Sharing her thoughts on this, Aarvika says, “Chidiya Udd is streaming for free, so I feel more people have been able to watch and appreciate it. Every character performed exceptionally well, and streaming the series on a big platform like Amazon for free has helped us reach a wider audience.”
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OTT shows and films often include bold scenes. Was Aarvika conscious of this while taking up the role of Champa in Chidiya Udd? She says, “I didn’t have any bold scenes because my character was HIV-positive and in a dying condition. In fact, after receiving the brief, I didn’t even think about bold scenes. As an actor, it’s essential to know your boundaries. With the variety of content being made today, it’s up to you to decide how far you want to go. I make sure to choose roles and content that my parents can proudly watch.”
Aarvika is thrilled with the positive response to her performance. She shares, “I’ve been receiving a lot of appreciation and best wishes. People sympathize with Champa but also question why she sold her best friend for drugs. I’m happy that my performance came across as real and natural. Some people even said that if Sayani Gupta had played the role, she would have performed similarly. Being compared to Sayani Gupta’s performance is a huge compliment for me.”
